Four Filmmaking Phenomena With Cinematographer Julian Whatley.

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Cinematographer Julian Whatley proudly proclaims he’s never had a bad day at work. He loves filmmaking and attacks every gig with 100% of his heart and soul. Coming up through the ranks of the camera department, learning from masters like Bob Richardson, John Toll and Harris Savides, he carries on the discipline and artistry he was taught. But stresses adaptability. I’m lucky to have Julian as an ally and friend.

Julian arrived at the RTP studios with four pillars for discussion: The Beginner’s Mind, Disintermediation, The Emperor’s new clothes and the Invisible hand. It’s a trippy conversation steeped in wisdom.

Here’s my bootleg cut of an AutoTrader.com short film we made:

Please send me your feedback and YOUR questions about filmmaking queries to RespectTheProcessPodcast today.

Thank you,

Jordan

This episode is just about over 90 minutes long. Do rate us on iTunes and “like” us on Facebook please.

Senior Art Director Laura Gels Is All About The Details.

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What’s comforting about filming with Laura Gels, Senior Art Director at Northlich, is having her gives me a second pair of eyes, scrutinizing the details in order to make the work great. She lives with each project for a year, so she wants it right. Respect. We’ve collaborated on three spots, and she’s a director’s dream to work with. I grabbed Laura from her print shoot and we chat about the various phases of joy that come with the process.

This is the third interview of three with the wildy creative folks behind Scooter the Neutered Cat for GiveThemTen.org – from the caring folks of the wonderful Joanie Bernard Foundation.

Enjoy Scooter “Home Kitty”;

Please send me your feedback and YOUR questions about filmmaking. I may not answer right away, but I’ll get to all. Hit me up with any filmmaking questions at RespectTheProcessPodcast today.
Thank you,

Jordan

This episode is just about 30 minutes long. Do rate us on iTunes and “like” us on Facebook please.

What The Creative Director Does With Group Creative Director Kerry Broderick.

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Group Creative Director Kerry Broderick shares with us the joy she gets by teaming up a great art director with a talented copywriter. She leads the creative team at the Northlich Agency, who birthed my beloved Scooter The Neutered Cat for GiveThemTen.org and the caring folks of the wonderful Joanie Bernard Foundation. This is the second interview of three with the Scooter creatives.

Kerry explains what a Group Creative Director does, how she matches up talent, and nurtures the best out of them. Always pushing her teams to dig deeper to really mine the idea for everything. She certainly subscribes to one of our podcast mantras: good enough sucks.

Hit me up with ideas, comments, dietary concerns and YOUR questions about filmmaking via the magic of email: RespectTheProcessPodcast today.

Thank you,

Jordan

This episode is just about 52 minutes long. Do rate us on iTunes and “like” us on Facebook please.

From “Two And A Half Men” to “Scooter The Neutered Cat” with Sr. Copywriter Terry Dillon.

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The immensely creative folks at the Northlich ad agency birthed one of the most fun, silly and effective campaigns I’ve been blessed to shoot. Yes, Scooter The Neutered Cat and GiveThemTen.org – from the caring folks of the wonderful Joanie Bernard Foundation. Over the next three episodes you’ll meet the creatives that spawned these spirited spots. Senior Copywriter Terry Dillon, Senior Art Director Laura Gels and Group Creative Director Kerry Broderick all chat about the creative process and joy of doing great work.

We start with Terry, a laugh out loud funny guy that did a stint on “Two And A Half Men” in tinseltown before setting his sights on the ad game. Listen closely to the interview and you just may recognize his silky smooth voice.. stay cool.

Enjoy Scooter “Home Kitty”;

Please send me your feedback and YOUR questions about filmmaking. I may not answer right away, but I’ll get to all. Hit me up with any filmmaking questions at RespectTheProcessPodcast today.
Thank you,

Jordan

This episode is just about 40 minutes long. Do rate us on iTunes and “like” us on Facebook please.

Mos Def, Marvin Gaye and Amerigo Gazaway Bring The Funk To Apple.

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Hip Hop impresario Amerigo Gazaway is one of my favorite music producers. He reworks samples and records so that his songs transcend both original recordings. Furthermore, an Amerigo Gazaway albums tell a story, like LP’s did back in the vinyl days. Moreover, it’s his love for his source material and his authenticity that resinates with listeners. Bombarded with cease-and-desist letters for sampling, it all changed when Apple chose his Mos Def/Marvin Gaye retooling into a “Yasiin Gaye” song “You Are Undeniable” for a commercial. It’s the first unauthorized mashup to be used for a major brand, and a landmark breakthrough for hip hop. Click the song title to purchase & support!

Watch this Apple spot “Jason’s Verse” to hear the funky “Yasiin Gaye” track.

Amerigo schools me on sample trolls, copyright law, his process and the Brazilian “Cannibalist Manifesto”. Near the end of our chat, he turns the tables and asks me about the selection of music for film and commercials.

Please send me your feedback and YOUR questions about filmmaking. I may not answer right away, but I’ll get to all. Hit me up with any filmmaking questions at RespectTheProcessPodcast today.
Thank you,

Jordan

This episode is just over an hour long. Do rate us on iTunes and “like” us on Facebook please.

Comedian Turned Documentary Filmmaker Jennifer Rawlings.

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I’ve known Jennifer Rawlings since our days playing the comedy clubs around Los Angeles in the 80’s. She always captivated the crowd with her funny perspective, so I’m not surprised she’s become an accomplished filmmaker. It’s her unusual journey that surprises me.

“Forgotten Voices: Woman in Bosnia” is her first film, and a must see. Made with a camcorder and the desire to expose the world to these stories. Check it out. She then did a Ted Talk on the subject of forgiveness, a story told in the film.

Here’s Jennifer’s Ted Talk:

This episode is an hour with an old friend. Enjoy.

Please send me your feedback and YOUR questions about filmmaking. I may not answer right away, but I’ll get to all. Hit me up with any filmmaking questions at RespectTheProcessPodcast today.
Thank you,

Jordan

This episode is an hour long. Do rate us on iTunes and “like” us on Facebook please.

Email Me Your Questions & Feedback.

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Thank you to all that participated in my “Confessions of a Commercial Filmmaker” this week. I literally just landed after a snowy week in Ohio, visiting cool ad agencies and Lightborne, the company behind Katy Perry’s Super Bowl Halftime extravaganza.

This episode is my shout out to you, and a cry for help. Send me your feedback about this podcast or my presentation, and it’s the opportunity to ask YOUR questions about filmmaking. I may not answer right away, but I’ll get to all. Hit me up with any filmmaking questions at RespectTheProcessPodcast today.
Thank you,

Jordan

This episode is only 3 and a half minutes long. Do rate us on iTunes and “like” us on Facebook please.

Chief Creative Officer Ryan Berman Claims Content Is King And Context Is Queen.

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After I interviewed Ryan Berman, I found his blog post called “Comedy on a Commercial Production.” I agree with most everything he says, which probably explains why we’re friends and have shot together a bunch. Ryan is Founder and Chief Creative Officer of i.d.e.a., a great advertising agency in San Diego. We chat about creating a fun culture, staying one step ahead of the trends, and why San Diego stays classy.

He produced a documentary with client’s money that played at SXSW called “Inventing To Nowhere” about the patent industry. It’s an eye opener.

A forward thinker, his agency also acquired a local production company of scrappy filmmakers, and they do awesome work. 4120 Productions. Click the name, duh.

Buy your tickets now for my webinar on February 10th at 6pm West Coast/ 9pm East Coast on StageIt. Live Q&A. It will sell out. It’s my live presentation on being a director of tv commercials. “Confessions of a Commercial Filmmaker”.

Thank you,

Jordan

This episode is 60 minutes. Do rate us on iTunes and “like” us on Facebook please.

What The Gaffer Does With Pat Grosswendt.

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Veteran Gaffer Pat Grosswendt has taught me so much about lighting during the dozens of commercials we’ve made together. (Click his name for credits from “Cabin Boy” to “Gosford Park” to “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”) Have a listen and you’ll learn the history, the mindset and key technical aspects of being the one on set that shapes the light. Pat gives his take on the changes in the technology, but stresses it’s the story that always effects the lighting approach the most, regardless of the toys. Enjoy his fun tips too, like dumpster diving for diffusion, or use bubble wrap.

Scroll down to see some interviews Pat has done. Did I mention he and his partner invented LitePanels? So much more than a gaffer, he’s a mentor.

Just a few tickets left!! February 10th at 6pm West Coast (9pm East Coast), I’ll be doing my live presentation on being a director of tv commercials. Buy your tickets now for February 10th at 6pm West Coast, “Confessions of a Commercial Filmmaker” on StageIt. Live Q&A. It will sell out.

Pat sharing the knowledge:

A great interview on lighting basics.

Thank you,

Jordan

This episode is 90 minutes. Do rate us on iTunes and “like” us on Facebook please.

How To Define Your Creative Space With Spot Director Kevin Donovan.

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I met Director Kevin Donovan at a Christmas party and we hit it off. A former agency creative, Kevin learned so much on set, working with great directors like Mark Story and the incomparable Joe Pytka. He’s learned to create a space for himself to deliver the best work, and we discuss balancing serving the agency agenda, while remaining creatively stingy for the reel. A great chat.

I also give my thoughts on the Super Bowl spots. Oh – Get tickets!! February 10th at 6pm West Coast, I’ll be doing my live presentation on being a director of tv commercials. Buy your tickets now for February 10th at 6pm West Coast, “Confessions of a Commercial Filmmaker” on StageIt. Live Q&A. It will sell out.

Here’s a great spot Kevin and Jackie Chan made:

Thank you,

Jordan

This episode is 90 minutes. Do rate us on iTunes and “like” us on Facebook please.

Filmmaker Deon Taylor Directs Danny Glover In “Supremacy”.

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I got a sneak peek at Deon Taylor‘s new film “Supremacy” starring Danny Glover, Joe Anderson, and Dawn Olivieri (“House of Lies”). It’s about a white supremacist just out of the clink. He shoots a cop, goes on the lamb, and invades Danny Glover’s house. Drama and self-examination ensue. Really well-made film, regardless of just a one million dollar budget. Deon shares his approach, choices and passion in this wonderful chat. Support this filmmaker. See “Supremacy” which opens Friday, January 30th, 2015. Click here for showtimes.

February 10th at 6pm West Coast, I’ll be doing a live presentation on being a director of tv commercials. Buy your tickets now for February 10th at 6pm West Coast, “Confessions of a Commercial Filmmaker” on StageIt. Live Q&A. It will sell out.

Thank you,

Jordan

This episode is 30 minutes. Do rate us on iTunes and “like” us on Facebook please.

Secrets Of Mark Nickelsburg’s Short Film “Harry Grows Up”.

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Mark Nickelsburg made a great short film, “Harry Grows Up” and we chat about how he did it. Effects, puppets, working with a toddler, you name it. Originally part of last week’s interview, the tapes were lost for weeks. Until now.

Buy your tickets now for my live web presentation February 10th at 6pm West Coast, “Confessions of a Commercial Filmmaker” on StageIt. It’s an intro to commercial filmmaking with a live Q&A. It will sell out.

Thank you,

Jordan

This episode is only 12 minutes. Do rate us on iTunes and “like” us on Facebook please.

From Editing Commercials To Directing Them With Mark Nickelsburg.

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Mark Nickelsburg shall forever live in my heart for dubbing “Respect The Process with Jordan Brady” as the “Rosetta Stone of Filmmaking.” Got to love that. More importantly, Mark has successfully transitioned from the editor’s chair to the director’s monitor. What are benefits and surprises on set, after years of editorial wisdom? I think it’s very interesting path, and thanks Mark.

We both had short films (my “Harold’s Bad Day” and his “Harry Grows Up”) in the Friar’s Comedy Film Festival the same year, but never met. Later, Festival Programmer and filmmaker Eric Johnson suggested we meet.

Watch this short,”Harry Grows Up”; so well done.

Enjoy Mark’s reel at Special Team Films.

Watch Mark’s “Emerald Nuts” spec spot, which fooled me into thinking it’s an actual, for-hire gig. Bravo:

Jeepers! February 10th at 6pm West Coast, 9pm East CoastI’ll be doing a live web event, “Confessions of a Commercial Filmmaker” on StageIt. It’s an intro to commercial filmmaking with a live Q&A. My first, be gentle.
Thank you,

Jordan

This episode is only over an hour long. Do rate us on iTunes and “like” us on Facebook please.

My Three Secrets To Better Directing.

In the last of my mini-podcast trilogy, I share three top-secret tips that I believe will make you a better filmmaker. Certainly a smarter, more effective director of commercials. If you’re in any leadership position, I imagine that these tips apply to your gig too. So, let me know.

I’m back next week with in-depth interviews with interesting people. Remember, this is a two way conversation and I’d love to hear form you on Facebook or the comments. Oh, and please share the podcast with a loved one who might care.

Thank you,

Jordan

This episode is only 3 and a half minutes long. Do rate us on iTunes and “like” us on Facebook please.

Moonlighting In Communist Romania To Producing in NYC With Saatchi & Saatchi’s Radu Olievschi.

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I met Radu Olievschi, a wonderful agency producer at Saacthi & Saatchi NYC, this summer and was intrigued with not just his journey to America, but his immense passion for filmmaking. Growing up in communist Romania did not lend itself to becoming a filmmaker, let alone a producer at an ad agency (especially unlikely since the one hour of State-run tv had no advertising), but Radu knew early on it was his destiny. Enjoy Radu’s story and hear the passion in his telling.

Here’s a PSA Radu produced called “The Bill of Rights for Dumbasses”. A favorite of mine directed by Seth Gordon.

This episode is just over 60 minutes. Do rate us on iTunes and “like” us on Facebook pretty please.

Let go my Eggo! w/ Creative Director T.S. Elliott.

Creative Director/Copywriter T.S. Elliott joins me on “Respect the Process”, a podcast about commercial filmmaking. We talk about our two dozen spots for Eggo Waffles, the rules of elfin magic and the evolution of Tony the Tiger.

Behind the “Disguise” from tselliott on Vimeo.

EggoMan Making of “Toaster” from tselliott on Vimeo.

My guest is director Nick Spooner. #RTP

“Respect the Process” is a podcast about commercial filmmaking.  Nick Spooner has been directing funny spots for years and I love his work.  Learn how he casts kids, draws his own shooting boards and more.

Yay! The debut of my podcast, with guest Joe Schaak.

“Respect the Process” is a phrase film crews have heard me say for years.  Now I share that philosophy with you.  Our first guest is Joe Schaak, a commercial director at Superlounge who’s work I love.  We talk about work relationships, making his Super Bowl spot and those pesky animatics.  Enjoy.